My food was served. Tiona ordered a rge steak for me, saying she would pay for everything. I thanked her since I didn't have any money on me.

  'I o ask Hephaestus for money. Or maybe I should start selling my magic stones.'

  "Is it good?" Tiona asked.

  "Yes, it's great."

  "Alright, now that you've started eating, tell me… How did you meet Hephaestus? How did you two start dating?" Everyo the table looked at me, waiting for my answer.

  I felt a bit lost.

  The system gave me a background but didn't expihing iail. I don't have memories. All I know is that I begged to join the Hephaestus Familia, and the Goddess eventually let me in.

  Then, she assigned people to train me.

  After that, we gradually got closer and started dating, but the system didn't provide details—like who fessed first or anything like that.

  'What should I do? Should I make up a story?'

  I kept looking around, thinking about what to say.

  "Ahem… Ahem…" I cleared my throat and smiled. "It was a bit difficult at first. I joihe Hephaestus Familia a few years ago, but I only got in after begging the Goddess to let me."

  "You've been in the Hephaestus Familia for years?" Ais was surprised by what she heard.

  "I've never seen you before… How is that possible?" Tiona seemed incredulous.

  "I spent most of my time at home, fog on training. I have never walked around the city mud have only started expl the dungeoly. I haven't had much tact with people outside the Familia."

  "I see," Ais said. "It's admirable that you spent so many years training."

  "It didn't do much good. Hahaha." I let out a weak ugh. "I only started improvily, so I began expl the dungeon."

  "And what do you think of it? Have you joined a group yet?" Ais asked. She was more ied in things reted to bat and the dungeon.

  "It's fun. The first floors are easier than I expected. And no, I'm not in a group yet."

  "Be careful. Don't uimate the dungeon."

  "Don't worry."

  "Hey, let's stop with this b versation. I'm ied in Eryk's story! So, what happened after you joihe Familia?"

  "As I said, after I joined, I stayed home every day, focused on my training. At first, Hephaestus didn't pay much attention to me, but over time, we got closer."

  "Aaaaah, this is gettiing!" Tiona excimed. "What did she like about you? Your looks? Your skills? Or maybe you've got a silver tongue?"

  "I had liked Hephaestus for a long time. She's a beautiful and strong woman—it was impossible not to fall for her. But of course, I thought getting close to her was just a dream… In the end…"

  "You mao get close to her…" Tiona's eyes sparkled.

  Tione and Ais also seemed ied, but Bete looked impatient.

  "And after you two got close? Did your retionship develop quickly or take a long time?"

  "It took a long time. We only started dating a few months ago, but we've known each other for years."

  "I see! I thought you had been dating for a long time. Have you two kissed before?" Tiona asked.

  "Tiona, don't ask unnecessary questions."

  "I just asked if they've kissed before! There's nothing wrong with that!"

  "Don't worry, Tio's fine. Yes, we've kissed before. Many times."

  "And have you two slept together?"

  "Tiona! That's enough. You've asked too many questions already."

  "Yes, we have."

  When I answered holy, everyone looked at me, surprised. Tiona's eyes sparkled even more, but Tione quickly stood up and covered her mouth.

  "Don't miiona, no more questions, alright?"

  "Hmm! Hmmm!" Tione finally removed her hand from Tiona's mouth.

  "Alright, I get it. I won't ask how it was. But I still want to know more about you two. What do you d the day? What kind of things do you like to do together?"

  "Tiona, did you invite him just to talk about this? Why don't you ask about his swords, skills, or something else?" Bete said impatiently.

  "That's not iing."

  "…" Bete eechless.

  "I'm also curious about your skills and ons. Do you mind telling me a bit about them?" Ais asked.

  "I don't mind. But I'm nowhere near your level—I'm weak."

  "That doesn't matter."

  After talking about Hephaestus for long miiona finally quieted down, aarted discussing the dungeon, skills, and ons—especially swords.

  I didn't talk much about my skills since I don't have any besides the system's abilities.

  I don't have any bat skills.

  So, the versation focused on my swords and armor.

  I took the opportunity to advertise my swords and armor. Especially the swords. I talked about them as if they were the best things anyone could fe.

  Ais ae were ied but ed. There was no way they would be excited by the words of a novice bcksmith they had never heard of before.

  However, they were ied, and I promised to show them some of my ons.

  And they promised to buy from me if the ons were as good as I cimed.

  In other words, I got future ers!

  ####

  When dinner ended and we left the restaurant, everyone said their goodbyes a—except for Tiona, who stayed with me. She walked beside me in sileil I stopped and looked at her.

  "You finally noticed I'm here."

  "What do you want?"

  "I just want to talk. Don't you?"

  "I o go home now. We talk aime."

  "That's a shame. It's fun talking to you."

  "Really?"

  "Yeah, it's fun because you get embarrassed. Your expression is hirious. Hahaha."

  "Do I get embarrassed when I talk to you?"

  "Hm? Aren't you? Your face is red, and you always avoid looking me in the eyes."

  "Must be the alcohol."

  "I see. But it was fun. I hope to have diogether again iure. Oh, and sorry about all the questions I asked."

  "It's fine. I don't mind."

  "…" Tiona stared at me for a few seds in silence, and I didn't say anythiher.

  "…"

  After a feard seds, she turned away.

  "Ahem… Ahem… Alright, I'm heading off now. See you ter."

  "See you." I waved as I watched Tiona walk away.

  That girl is fun… and full of energy.

  ParodyGirl